Senior Protection & Control (Relay) Technician | Union

Asplundh Engineering Services, LLC; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement plan

Company-provided life insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Asplundh Electrical Testing is seeking a Senior Protection & Control Technician to lead field testing of medium‑ to high‑voltage substations and related equipment. You will perform relay testing, commissioning, and validation of protection schemes while coordinating with project managers and utility engineers.

The role requires 5+ years in protection and control, NETA certification, and strong knowledge of relays and test equipment. Travel is regional and safety is a core value.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in protective relaying, substation commissioning, or P&C testing for electric utilities or NETA‑accredited firms.
• Experience testing medium‑voltage and high‑voltage (5kV–500kV) transmission/distribution systems.
• Strong knowledge of microprocessor relays and automated relay test sets.

Responsibilities

• Lead field safety with daily briefings and LOTO enforcement.
• Perform acceptance, maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting of relays.
• Verify protection schemes including line/transformer/bus protection and related schemes.
• Verify AC/DC control circuits, trip checks, and testing of transformers, switchgear, and feeders.
• Support outage planning, switching, energization, and system restoration activities.
• Mentor junior technicians and coordinate with project managers and utility engineers.
• Generate commissioning reports, as‑left settings, and redline drawings.

Skills

Protection & Control

Field leadership

Safety compliance

Client coordination

Relay testing

Education

NETA Certification

Associate degree in EET

IBEW apprenticeship

OSHA 10/30 NFPA 70E

Tools

SEL relays

GE Multilin

Omicron test sets

Megger MPRT

Job description

What if you could discover the way to an exciting and rewarding career? The path is closer than you may think. Connect with us, explore the possibilities, and see why Asplundh is 36,000 strong and growing.

About the Role

At Asplundh Electrical Testing, safety is not just a priority—it is our foundation. We are experiencing strong growth and are immediately hiring experienced Senior Protection & Control (Relay) Technicians to join our field engineering and testing team.

In this role, you will serve as a technical lead in the field, ensuring the safe and reliable operation of medium- and high-voltage (5kV–500kV) utility substations, renewable energy interconnects, and data center power systems. You will lead crews through complex outage work, perform end-to‑end protective relay testing and commissioning, and reinforce Asplundh’s reputation for technical precision and safety excellence.

As a NETA-accredited independent electrical testing and engineering organization, Asplundh Electrical Testing sets the industry benchmark across utility, industrial, and critical infrastructure sectors.

What You’ll Do

• Lead Field Safety: Conduct daily job briefings and safety tailboards, enforcing Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, energized work practices, and a "Safety First, Always" culture.
• Protective Relay Testing & Commissioning: Perform acceptance testing, maintenance testing, calibration, and troubleshooting on electromechanical and microprocessor-based protective relays.
• Validate Protection Schemes: Test and verify complex transmission and distribution protection schemes, including:
• Line distance, line differential, transformer differential, and bus differential protection
• Overcurrent, breaker failure, reclosing, and sync-check schemes
• Substation Apparatus & Control Verification: Verify AC/DC control circuits, trip checks, and functional testing for power transformers, medium- and high-voltage circuit breakers, switchgear, feeder relays, capacitor banks, and reactors.
• Outage & Energization Support: Support outage planning, switching coordination, cutover execution, substation energization, and system restoration activities.
• Diagnostics & Event Analysis: Perform fault and disturbance investigations, relay target reviews, and oscillography/event file analysis.
• Technical Leadership & Client Coordination: Mentor and train junior relay technicians; coordinate field execution with project managers, system operators, and utility engineers.
• Documentation & Estimating: Generate accurate commissioning test reports, as-left relay settings documentation, and redline drawings; participate in job walks and project scoping.

What You Bring

• Experience: 5+ years of hands‑on experience in protective relaying, substation commissioning, or protection and control (P&C) testing for electric utilities or NETA‑accredited testing firms.
• Voltage Class Expertise: Demonstrated experience testing medium‑voltage and high‑voltage (5kV to 500kV) transmission and distribution systems.
• Relay & Test Equipment Proficiency: Strong working knowledge of microprocessor relays (such as Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories / SEL, GE Multilin, ABB, Siemens, Basler) and automated relay test sets (such as Omicron, Doble, Megger / MPRT).
• Substation Communications: Familiarity with RTUs, SCADA point‑to‑point checkout, and substation communication protocols (e.g., IEC 61850, DNP3, Modbus).
• Print Reading: Ability to interpret single‑line diagrams, three‑line diagrams, protection schematics, AC/DC control schematics, wiring diagrams, and relay logic.
• Physical & Travel Requirements: Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record; ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions, travel regionally (with occasional extended assignments), and lift up to 70 lbs.

Education & Credentials

• NETA Certification: NETA Level III or NETA Level IV Certified Technician strongly preferred for Senior roles (Note: NETA Level II technicians and experienced protection & control technicians are also encouraged to apply for opportunities across our team).
• Education: Associate degree in Electrical Engineering Technology (EET), power systems technical degree, IBEW/utility apprenticeship, or military electrical/power generation training.
• Safety Certifications: OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification, NFPA 70E training, and First Aid/CPR.

Why Join Asplundh Electrical Testing?

• Company Vehicle: Provided for regional work‑related travel.
• Career Growth: Work on high‑profile utility, data center, and renewable energy projects with clear pathways for NETA certification advancement.
• Stability & Safety: Backed by the resources and safety‑first culture of an industry leader.

What We Offer

At Asplundh Electrical Testing, we invest in the well‑being of our people. Eligible employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their health, financial security, and work‑life balance, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plan to help you secure your future
• Company‑provided life insurance for added peace of mind
• Supplemental life insurance options, including spouse and child coverage
• A variety of voluntary supplemental insurance programs
• Long‑term disability coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support personal and professional well‑being
• Paid time off to recharge and refresh
• Paid holidays
• Access to employee discount programs and helpful resources

*Benefits listed above are available to eligible employees. Eligibility requirements and plan provisions apply

For roles that fall within union‑represented territories, certain benefits and employment terms may differ from what’s listed here. In those cases, the applicable local union agreement will guide the specific benefits and provisions. We’re committed to transparency and will walk you through what applies to your location during the hiring process.

Who We Are

Asplundh Electrical Testing (AET) has been a leading provider of independent electrical testing services since 1981. Headquartered in Foxboro, MA, with regional offices across the country, AET specializes insubstationcommissioning, acceptance testing, and maintenance for clients in electrical transmission, distribution, and generation. As aNETA‑certified company and a member of Asplundh Engineering Services—a subsidiary of Asplundh Infrastructure Group—AET is committed to delivering reliable, high‑quality services at competitive prices.

As part of the Asplundh family, AET benefits from extensive resources and a century of experience. Together, we provide utilities with comprehensive end‑to‑end services, from design to construction, testing, and maintenance, ensuring reliability and peace of mind.

An Asplundh Company

As part of the Asplundh family, AET benefits from extensive resources and a century of experience. Together, we provide utilities with comprehensive end‑to‑end services, from design to construction, testing, and maintenance, ensuring reliability and peace of mind.

Our Commitment

At AET, we believe in tackling challenges together with our customers, leveraging our collective experience and resources to achieve success in every project.

Description

What if you could discover the way to an exciting and rewarding career? The path is closer than you may think. Connect with us, explore the possibilities, and see why Asplundh is 36, 000 strong and growing.

About the Role

At Asplundh Electrical Testing, safety is not just a priority—it is our foundation. We are experiencing strong growth and are immediately hiring experienced Senior Protection & Control (Relay) Technicians to join our field engineering and testing team.

In this role, you will serve as a technical lead in the field, ensuring the safe and reliable operation of medium- and high-voltage (5kV–500kV) utility substations, renewable energy interconnects, and data center power systems. You will lead crews through complex outage work, perform end-to‑end protective relay testing and commissioning, and reinforce Asplundh’s reputation for technical precision and safety excellence.

As a NETA-accredited independent electrical testing and engineering organization, Asplundh Electrical Testing sets the industry benchmark across utility, industrial, and critical infrastructure sectors.

What You’ll Do

• Lead Field Safety: Conduct daily job briefings and safety tailboards, enforcing Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, energized work practices, and a "Safety First, Always" culture.
• Protective Relay Testing & Commissioning: Perform acceptance testing, maintenance testing, calibration, and troubleshooting on electromechanical and microprocessor-based protective relays.
• Validate Protection Schemes: Test and verify complex transmission and distribution protection schemes, including:
• Line distance, line differential, transformer differential, and bus differential protection
• Overcurrent, breaker failure, reclosing, and sync-check schemes
• Substation Apparatus & Control Verification: Verify AC/DC control circuits, trip checks, and functional testing for power transformers, medium- and high-voltage circuit breakers, switchgear, feeder relays, capacitor banks, and reactors.
• Outage & Energization Support: Support outage planning, switching coordination, cutover execution, substation energization, and system restoration activities.
• Diagnostics & Event Analysis: Perform fault and disturbance investigations, relay target reviews, and oscillography/event file analysis.
• Technical Leadership & Client Coordination: Mentor and train junior relay technicians; coordinate field execution with project managers, system operators, and utility engineers.
• Documentation & Estimating: Generate accurate commissioning test reports, as-left relay settings documentation, and redline drawings; participate in job walks and project scoping.

What You Bring

• Experience: 5+ years of hands‑on experience in protective relaying, substation commissioning, or protection and control (P&C) testing for electric utilities or NETA‑accredited testing firms.
• Voltage Class Expertise: Demonstrated experience testing medium‑voltage and high‑voltage (5kV to 500kV) transmission and distribution systems.
• Relay & Test Equipment Proficiency: Strong working knowledge of microprocessor relays (such as Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories / SEL, GE Multilin, ABB, Siemens, Basler) and automated relay test sets (such as Omicron, Doble, Megger / MPRT).
• Substation Communications: Familiarity with RTUs, SCADA point‑to‑point checkout, and substation communication protocols (e.g., IEC 61850, DNP3, Modbus).
• Print Reading: Ability to interpret single‑line diagrams, three‑line diagrams, protection schematics, AC/DC control schematics, wiring diagrams, and relay logic.
• Physical & Travel Requirements: Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record; ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions, travel regionally (with occasional extended assignments), and lift up to 70 lbs.

Education & Credentials

• NETA Certification: NETA Level III or NETA Level IV Certified Technician strongly preferred for Senior roles (Note: NETA Level II technicians and experienced protection & control technicians are also encouraged to apply for opportunities across our team).
• Education: Associate degree in Electrical Engineering Technology (EET), power systems technical degree, IBEW/utility apprenticeship, or military electrical/power generation training.
• Safety Certifications: OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification, NFPA 70E training, and First Aid/CPR.

Why Join Asplundh Electrical Testing?

• Company Vehicle: Provided for regional work‑related travel.
• Career Growth: Work on high‑profile utility, data center, and renewable energy projects with clear pathways for NETA certification advancement.
• Stability & Safety: Backed by the resources and safety‑first culture of an industry leader.

What We Offer

At Asplundh Electrical Testing, we invest in the well‑being of our people. Eligible employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their health, financial security, and work‑life balance, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting on day one
• Retirement plan to help you secure your future
• Company‑provided life insurance for added peace of mind
• Supplemental life insurance options, including spouse and child coverage
• A variety of voluntary supplemental insurance programs
• Long‑term disability coverage
• Pre‑paid legal plan
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support personal and professional well‑being
• Paid time off to recharge and refresh
• Paid holidays
• Access to employee discount programs and helpful resources

*Benefits listed above are available to eligible employees. Eligibility requirements and plan provisions apply

For roles that fall within union‑represented territories, certain benefits and employment terms may differ from what’s listed here. In those cases, the applicable local union agreement will guide the specific benefits and provisions. We’re committed to transparency and will walk you through what applies to your location during the hiring process.

Who We Are

Asplundh Electrical Testing (AET) has been a leading provider of independent electrical testing services since 1981. Headquartered in Foxboro, MA, with regional offices across the country, AET specializes insubstationcommissioning, acceptance testing, and maintenance for clients in electrical transmission, distribution, and generation. As aNETA‑certified company and a member of Asplundh Engineering Services—a subsidiary of Asplundh Infrastructure Group—AET is committed to delivering reliable, high‑quality services at competitive prices.

As part of the Asplundh family, AET benefits from extensive resources and a century of experience. Together, we provide utilities with comprehensive end‑to‑end services, from design to construction, testing, and maintenance, ensuring reliability and peace of mind.

An Asplundh Company

As part of the Asplundh family, AET benefits from extensive resources and a century of experience. Together, we provide utilities with comprehensive end‑to‑end services, from design to construction, testing, and maintenance, ensuring reliability and peace of mind.

Our Commitment

At AET, we believe in tackling challenges together with our customers, leveraging our collective experience and resources to achieve success in every project.

Important Information for Applicants

• Asplundh Tree Expert, LLC and its family of companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any legally protected characteristic.
• If you require reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact our ADA Coordinator at 1-800-248-8733, ext. 3656.
• Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of applicable pre‑employment requirements, which include background screening, drug testing, and employment eligibility verification.
• Compensation determination is based on market data, job scope and individual qualifications.
• We offer a competitive total rewards package inclusive of health and welfare and retirement benefits, as well as paid time off and holiday pay benefits.
• Unsolicited resumes without an executed agency agreement become the property of the company.